West Calder High School extension

The works are required to safely deliver the new planned £9 million extension to the school by August 2025.

The school is being extended to to cope with rising pupil numbers, due to ongoing development in the school's catchment area. The cost of the extension is being funded through contributions from housing developers.

When the school was built in 2018, it was specifically designed to be extended in the future, once pupil numbers had risen high enough to require it. 

The extension to the west of the current building will provide essential open-plan teaching spaces over two storeys with accessible roof space for teaching, and will increase the school's total capacity by 220 to 1,320.

What will the works involve?

The construction phase will start on Monday June 3 2024.

The site area will be fenced off for safety reasons, which will result in a reduction in car parking spaces and the core path that runs along the front of the school being diverted.

Initial works will see the grouting taking place to make sure the site is ready for construction.

Once complete, construction works will then then take place with the aim of the extension being ready for pupils from August 2025.

Will I still be able to use the car park at West Calder High School?

The car park will be reduced by approximately a third for the duration of the works, which means less spaces available.

This could lead to delays with drop-offs and pick-ups, so parents/carers are advised to consider if they have other options to get their young person to and from school, such as walking, cycling or car sharing if possible. 

Staff from the school and nearby Parkhead primary will be asked to consider their transport options to reduce the number of vehicles using the car park.

Local residents who use the school park are asked to look at alternative locations for parking while the works are ongoing.

School transport buses will not be affected.

What are the changes to the path?

The core path at the front of the school will be diverted along an adjacent tarmac path then through the walkway at the car park and back on to the core path.

Local access for nearby homes will be maintained.

Please see the map below for more details:

What actions are being taken to limit the impact for pupils and local residents?

All possible steps have been taken minimise disruption from this large-scale construction project where possible.

The works have been specifically scheduled to start on Monday 3 June 2024, after the final SQA exams have taken place.

The initial grouting work is expected to result in noise and dust, so has been planned to take place over the summer holiday period as much as possible to minimise disruption to pupils.

Lead contractor Morrison Construction has made arrangements with nearby Polbeth Community Garden for their staff to park their vehicles, to reduce additional traffic on the site. 

Morrison have also asked their suppliers not to send articulated lorries to the site, and avoid one-hour time windows at the start and end of school day to avoid extra congestion with school traffic.

Further information

If you have any further queries on the project, please email educationcustomerservices@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window)